Last night, dinner was an introduction to the group to what can make it break a vacation: meals! Let's just say..."It's looking like we won't have to worry...". The buffet was spectacular, as you can see here. And I didn't take photos of the roast pork being sliced and served with all the crispy bits and gravy that many of us enjoyed.
What is remarkable is how many were hungry for their breakfast this morning!
Russell was the biggest whaling port in the southern hemisphere in the 1840's, also the "hell hole of the Pacific", a lawless place. Today it is a lovely resort town with many "oldest" in New Zealand credits including the Anglican Church. Charles Darwin was one of the first donors to the church. He couldn't believe the populace could be as bad as they were...
Monday morning started by learning some history at the site of the treaty signing with the Maori and British in 1840.
Following a long, quiet night flying over Hawaii, The Soliman Islands, close to Fiji, dawn broke and the captain announced our arrival! Let the holiday begin!
Well, here we are in Vancouver, getting ready for our big jump across the Pacific! Looks like we're excited, but we'll all be glad when we touchdown in Auckland!
Bon Voyage-Adios-Au Revoir
November 4 has arrived! It's early in the morning, still, and packing, final house cleaning, last minute tasks all need to be done.
With coffee in hand, just for now, it is time to sit and breathe in the calm before the long day ahead of us. Such a long day, in fact, that we will skip right past Saturday as we make our way south, over the equator, and the international date line. We'll miss "falling back" an hour on Sunday, along with November 5, which will never make it into our calendars.
The sunrise in Calgary promises a lovely day ahead! A great day to fly....
